What is being proposed in the referendum?

The referendum focuses on improvements in three key areas:  Safety and Security, Infrastructure, and Capacity.  If approved, the District will enhance district-wide safety and security and improve site traffic patterns; replace and repair existing district-wide building systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC); and expand classroom space at the elementary school and address cafeteria and kitchen needs at the middle school.

Why is the referendum being conducted now?

Safety and security is one of the District’s highest priorities.  There are safety and security enhancements included for all three buildings as well as the community through addressing traffic flow between buildings and during peak school hours.  Wrightstown Elementary School is currently 75 students over capacity and enrollment in the district is projected to increase by 350 students in the next 10 years.  While the buildings have been well-maintained, many of the schools’ major building systems (plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling) have exceeded their useful and efficient life.

How does the current school closure and unprecedented health situation impact the referendum?

The District, whether in routine times, or in unprecedented times like these, has always been about taking our most immediate challenges head-on, while not losing focus on our needs for the future. Our short-term goal was to continue to provide a quality education for every student during the school closure.  Thanks to our committed families, outstanding staff, and supportive community, the District successfully transitioned to a digital learning environment, daily connects with students, provided Chromebooks to students who needed them, and continues to offer school lunches remotely!

With the short-term challenges addressed, we are working to keep all residents informed about the upcoming referendum which focuses on the District's most pressing long-term facility needs: safety and security enhancements, repair and replace district-wide infrastructure, and capacity concerns at WES and WMS.

Why doesn’t the School District tax more instead of going to referendum?

Due to State-imposed revenue limits, the District is only allowed to collect local funds at a certain level to provide services to the students in the Wrightstown Community School District. The only way the District can receive additional dollars from taxpayers is by passing a referendum. This is different than city or county governments, which can approve additional spending and increased taxes without going through the referendum process.

Why are we upgrading the existing elementary and not building a new elementary school?

The District has been good stewards of taxpayer dollars and has taken good care of the buildings provided to the students in the school district.  Given this, the elementary school is in sound structural condition but needs updates and renovations to improve the function of the building and more space to house the growing student enrollment.  With the referendum, the entire building will receive upgrades to create a like-new building for all students. Total cost, maximizing prior taxpayer investments in the elementary school, location, and timeline were all considerations when deciding to propose the addition and renovation solution rather than a completely new elementary school. 

Why is the referendum one question instead of multiple questions?

The referendum is for three key areas which impact all district buildings.  There are needs in all three buildings in addition to the capacity concerns at the elementary and middle schools.  Without infrastructure improvements and replacements, additions to the buildings would not be wise use of taxpayer dollars.  Because all three of the areas are priorities and create a district-wide solution, one question is posed on the referendum. 

Why can’t the district borrow money to complete the project instead of going to referendum?

School funding is limited by state-imposed revenue limits.  The District cannot borrow funds and pay them back with operating budget dollars without significant reductions in staff, educational programs, and other areas which the current operating budget funds.  Wisconsin schools go to referendum for major improvement projects because of the state-imposed revenue limits.

What is included in the amount for the referendum?

Along with design and construction costs, the referendum covers all costs the District will incur for completion of the referendum projects. This includes site preparation, remodeling and upgrades to existing elementary classrooms, furniture and other fixtures, parking lots, replacement of outdated heating, cooling, electrical, lighting, and plumbing systems, updating fire alarm system and enhancing technology to include cameras, key-fob door access, and limiting building access to different sections of the buildings. 

Why are there so many infrastructure needs that have to be addressed?

The buildings have been well maintained over their lifetime. The infrastructure needs outlined in the referendum are not maintenance issues, they are needed systems replacements. Many of the major building systems have outlasted their life expectancy with some being more than 50 years old.  These are major systems that are costly and require significant construction to replace.  Because of the inability to levy additional dollars, addressing these through the regular budget would negatively impact the education of the students in the District. 

What is the anticipated tax impact for the referendum?

The anticipated tax impact would be an average of $64 per $100,000 of property value for up to 20 years.  This is based on equalized (or fair market) value and may vary slightly over the nine municipalities.  The District is fiscally responsible and has been able to maximize state funding and maintain a lower-than-state-average mill rate.

The anticipated tax impact is based on an estimated, conservative 4 percent interest rate, though most school districts are currently borrowing at 3 percent or lower.  The current market has near historical low interest rates and the bidding climate is extremely competitive, both allowing for a favorable opportunity for borrowing, construction and project management.

What are the roles of Bray Architects, Miron Construction, and Baird Financial Services in facility and referendum planning?

In January of 2018, the District began a study of enrollment, facilities, and long-range planning.  UW Applied Population Lab and MD Roffers were contracted to provide enrollment and community growth projections for the District. To determine facility needs, the District contracted with Bray Architects to conduct a district-wide assessment of the facilities in June of 2019.  Community focus groups were held in May of 2019.  Bray was contracted for pre-referendum services to provide conceptual solutions and referendum planning assistance.  Miron was contracted for pre-referendum services to provide assistance with project scope and budget consultation.  School District personnel have been working with these collaborative partners to assure long-range planning solutions and fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers during the referendum process.

When would the projects be completed?

If the referendum is approved, project design would begin immediately involving administration and staff input with completion of design in February of 2021. The projects would then be competitively bid in March of 2021 with construction starting thereafter. The High School scope would be completed for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. The Middle School and Elementary School projects would be phased over two years with all projects completed for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

Will the projects be competitively bid?

Yes, if the referendum passes and construction ensues, the project will be competitively bid. A competitive bid process ensures the most cost-efficient building project for the District and taxpayers. Multiple bids from contractors and suppliers will be solicited; the District will have the final selection decision in this process. Efforts will be made to engage local contractors and suppliers in the bid and selection process.

 What happens if the referendum is unsuccessful?

The District needs will not change.  Safety and security measures will still need to be addressed and traffic patterns for students and families will continue to be a significant challenge.  Existing district-wide building systems will age and operational dollars will need to be used to repair them in the short-term, potentially impacting students and programs.  Capacity concerns at the elementary and middle schools will grow in magnitude as enrollment grows in the District.  Unfortunately, solving the needs of the District down the road has the potential to elevate the cost to address them.  While no specific plans have been made at this time, the Board of Education would reconvene and determine next steps in addressing the facility and capacity needs for the District.

Where and how can I vote?

Based on the Governor's announcement, the state will be holding the election on April 7 as planned. Please visit myvote.wi.gov prior to April 2 to request an absentee ballot. If you prefer to vote in person, please do so safely.  Your voting location can also be found on myvote.wi.gov. The Wrightstown Community School District referendum question is located on the back of the ballot.